"I am just writing to let you know how pleased I am with your newsletter. I am subscribed to many newsletters but yours beats them all by the quality and informational value. Thank you for not trying to sell us bunch of stuff. I am looking forward to your next newsletter!"
Coarsegold, California
"I think this was your most helpful newsletter and probably the best I've read in the last twenty years by anyone. It condenses down to the bare essence the secrets of success in our business without all the fluff. Extremely effective and accurate. I can't wait to share this information by an outside expert to reinforce this to my staff. I've tested and proven everything you say."
Fairfield, California
"I usually don't write sappy letters. However I wanted to let you know that I appreciate the newsletter you put out. I get something useful out of every issue."
St. Maries, Idaho
"In your May newsletter . . . AMEN on the professionalism comment! I came late to this industry from the executive side of the dot-com industry, thus I had the public's perception that all contractors are rough around the edges and probably not very business savvy. I am just into my third year as a contractor. I get lots of call backs after I complete my jobs. However, I am highly respected by the public I engage.
How come? I've transferred my executive skills to my firm, and created an image of competence and organization. I actually run a very open business with my customers, I've nothing to hide. And I always get paid on time. Oh yes, the call backs? They are for new projects, not repairs to work we already completed. I would add, Michael, that our profitability and much of our granular organization is due to your guidance."
Somerville, Massachusetts
"To be honest with you, after 36 years as a general contractor I still have no networking with others in my field and I was so appreciative when I found Michael's columns. I have turned other guys on to it, who also find it greatly informative.
We have been very busy this year and I didn't realize I hadn't been getting it until now. The psychological reflections and familial gratitude pauses as well as the 'take time for yourself' alerts recommended have been severely missed (just ask my wife and family).
I joined two salespeople from a competitor and have initiated two new divisions . . . The courage I have gleaned from your columns and Michael's general chastisement of stubborn old contractors like me helped me accept the updating of my practices this new blood has presented. They were initially flabbergasted that I had managed to stay in business for 36 years doing it my way. My way included all the things Michael admonishes in his columns and indeed, I had become the barricade to my company's development and growth. As I reviewed my estimating practices (item by item with a guess thrown in here and there as to costs), archaic profit margin (virtually the same as it was decades ago derived from what I got paid to "piece work" in the 70's), my scheduling (when we finish this we'll start that), my marketing (first the newspaper, then the yellow pages, then the yellow pages more, then the yellow pages bigger, etc.), and my attitudes (which were embarrassingly unchanged even with the wisdom I had read in your columns) I came to believe that I HAD to get out of my own way.
Thank you so much for the years of what I considered and utilized as personal/professional counseling. I know it is naive and fan like, but I consider Michael and now his staff, more than a mentor and professional advisors, but friends too."
Camarillo, California
"Thank you for your insightful and informative teaching materials and newsletters. I am a newly established and small remodeling contractor and have employed many of your suggestions in my business. They have worked well and have given me the confidence necessary to compete in the Southern California market. (by compete I don't mean offering the lowest bid :-) "
Temecula, California